An Introduction to Bluegrass
Study Guide for the performance of The Blue Canyon Boys
Objectives
Through a presentation of the music of The Blue Canyon Boys and study guide materials,
students will:
 develop an understanding of the characteristics of bluegrass music
 understand why bluegrass music is unique
 be introduced to the instruments that comprise a bluegrass band
 be introduced to the history of bluegrass music
 be exposed to a high quality, inspirational arts experience
A Good Audience Member Will...
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behave respectfully towards the performers and other audience members
listen attentively to the music, narration, and instructions
participate at appropriate times in the program
attempt to remember elements of the program for later discussions
What is Bluegrass Music?
Bluegrass music is a form of American Roots music, or a musical style that originated here
in the United States. Bluegrass music is really more of a style of performance than a
particular set of tunes or songs. Although there are pieces that have been written
specifically as bluegrass numbers, most bluegrass music is taken from or based on earlier
American folk traditions such as old-time or old-timey as it is sometimes called. However, it
is probably possible to take almost any song or tune and turn it into a bluegrass number.
The typical bluegrass band is acoustic, which means the instruments are not electric, and
includes these stringed instruments:
Five-String Banjo
Flat-Top Guitar
Mandolin
Dobro
Fiddle
Bass
Early bluegrass saw the occasional use of other instruments such as spoons, bones,
washboards, or harmonica, but it is usually just the traditional six instruments.
The Sound of Bluegrass Music
Bluegrass is distinguished by its high-energy, fast-tempo sound. The guitar and bass carry
the downbeat, which provides the rhythmic foundation. Generally, if the other instruments
are not soloing or playing background, they carry the offbeat.
 The downbeat is the first beat of a measure in music, the impulse that occurs at
the beginning of a bar in measured music.
 The offbeat is the weaker beats of a measure of music.
Bluegrass songs are played with each instrument taking turns carrying the melody while the
other instruments back it up. This is in contrast to old-time music, in which all instruments
play the melody together. Because the instruments
take turns being the leader, bluegrass music
sometimes sounds like the different instruments are
having a conversation with each other.
Bluegrass Singing
Unlike country music, bluegrass singing is usually
high-pitched. This singing style started with a man
named Bill Monroe, who is known as "The Father of
Bluegrass”. This high-pitched singing is known as
that "high lonesome sound."
Another trait of
bluegrass singing, and one that at first can be
irritating to some people, is the unusual way in
which singing parts are voiced. Harmony is never
sung in unison, where the voices are together on the
same notes. Depending on the type of harmony, it's
always above or below the lead singer.
Passing a Break
Another unique trait of bluegrass is the
tradition of soloing, or "passing a break."
If musicians are soloing, that means their
instruments are playing the main melody
of the song and getting all of the attention,
while the other instruments are backing
them up. Anyone with an instrument is
invited to take a turn soloing, no matter
their age or expertise. From youngster to
old-timer, no matter the expertise, "if ya
wanna try it, we'll pass ya the break."
The History of Bluegrass Music
Bluegrass was inspired by the music of immigrants from Scotland and Ireland who ended
up in Appalachia, a region in the eastern United States that stretches from southern New
York state to northern Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. Bluegrass was also inspired by
the music of rural African-Americans (in fact, slaves from Africa brought the design idea for
the banjo--an instrument now integral to the bluegrass sound), jazz, blues, sacred, and
country music.
Bluegrass music came out of the rural
south after World War II, but its roots
date back to the 1930s from the various
types of mountain music that were
popular with the farm families and bluecollar workers in Appalachia.
Most
everyone knew of someone who played
an instrument and not uncommon were
whole families that played. They shared
that entertainment by playing at gettogethers, church picnics, and barn
dances.
Bluegrass songs were about issues
important to everyday people. Religion
was a prominent subject and gospel
music
figured
heavily
in
the
development
of
the
bluegrass
sound. Secular songs tended to focus
on love, home, and family, sometimes
exploring the darker side of these issues.
The invention of the phonograph and the onset of the
radio in the early 1900s brought this old-time music out
of the rural Southern mountains to people all over the
United States.
Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass
The Monroe Brothers were one of the most popular duet teams of the 1920s and into the
1930s. Charlie played the guitar, Bill played the mandolin and they sang duets in harmony.
When the brothers split up as a team in 1938, both went on to form their own bands. Since
Bill was a native of Kentucky, the Bluegrass State, he decided to call his band "Bill Monroe
and the Blue Grass Boys," and this band sound birthed a new form of country music.
"Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys"
first appeared on the Grand Ole Opry
in 1939 and soon became one of the
most popular touring bands out of
Nashville.
Bill's new band was
different from other traditional country
music bands of the time because of its
hard driving and powerful sound, using
traditional acoustic instruments and
featuring an interesting and new
singing style that Bill called “that high
lonesome sound”. After experimenting
with
various
instrumental
combinations, Bill settled on mandolin,
banjo, fiddle, guitar and bass as the
format for his band.
By the 1950s, people began referring to this style of music as "bluegrass music." Bluegrass
bands began forming all over the country and Bill Monroe became the acknowledged
"Father of Bluegrass Music”. Other popular bluegrass artists of the time included Earl
Scruggs and Lester Flatt.
Bluegrass Today
Bluegrass music is now performed and enjoyed around the world. The International
Bluegrass Music Association alone claims members in all 50 states and over 30
countries. In addition to the classic bluegrass style that is still performed widely, bluegrass
bands today are influenced by a variety
of sources from jazz to Celtic music to
rock 'n roll. Song lyrics have been
translated into various languages as
bluegrass continues to increase its
popularity worldwide.